Has anyoe had problems using the mint LP tractor

Thanks for the comments...................as I suspected my inexperience and poor eyesight!! I will let you know how I get on after my next attempt.

Hi Wes, I also had trouble seeing the line at first and the parallax lines with the loupe. I then went to Lowe's and bought a quartz light on a stand that can be adjusted similar to a dentist's light and it could be folded down, side to side etc., and it lit up the platter and protractor beautifully. With this light I could see satisfactorily and had no other problems.
Best wishes.
Carter

With regard to the parallax lines, I was able to see them best when illuminated from *behind* the cart. (I have a halogen desk light which I can aim in any direction--very helpful.) I would humbly recommend using the 3x magnifier and eyeballing pretty low and head-on.

Having used a Turntablebasics protractor (also a mirror) for many years, I found adapting to the Mint very easy - "just" a matter of having good closeup vision and enough light, as several have said.

As with most new tasks, understanding and improvement come from practice. Take a day to relax and try again, starting from step 1. Stop for a breather whenever you feel frustrated, cartridge alignment is definitely not a race.

Once you think you've got it, wait a few days and then do it all over again. Each repetition will build understanding, the process will go a bit faster and your results will undoubtedly improve. (Which reminds me, I haven't checked my alignment in a couple of months. Time for more practice!)

Wes, once you get sorted out with a suitable well lit work area.
Have on hand several tools that you think may help during set up, read through the MintLp threads for suggestions.

However what works well for others especially optical aids may not work for you, some experimenting has to be done on your part.

I give the instruction manual for the Mint tractor highest marks, follow it step by step and learn to have PATIENCE.

In the end hopefully you will be thrilled with the results of a highly accurate catridge set up and just think, one you did yourself.

I am a novice at best and each time I checked set up of my cartridge I further dialed it in with notable improvment.

What better way is there to know your turntable.